The Seven Best Gratitude Quotes

"For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends."-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Experiencing and expressing gratitude is an important part of any spiritual practice. It opens the heart and activates positive emotion centers in the brain. Regular practice of gratitude can change the way our brain neurons fire into more positive automatic patterns. The positive emotions we evoke can soothe distress and broaden our thinking patterns so we develop a larger and more expansive view of our lives. Gratitude is an emotion of connectedness, which reminds us we are part of a larger universe with all living things. Below are some of my favorite quotes about gratitude to help inspire you and deepen your thinking about finding an enduring place for gratitude in your own life.

Gratitude Quotes

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." - Marcel Proust

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." - Thornton Wilder

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. John F. Kennedy

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. Albert Schweitzer

The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated. -- WIlliam James

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." -- Oprah Winfrey

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." - Epictetus

How to Bring Gratitude into Your Life

To begin bringing gratitude into your life, you can deliberately meditate on all the things in your own life that help you or give you pleasure. You can also write a gratitude diary, posting pictures and writing about the things you feel grateful for each day. The holidays are a great time to express your gratitude to friends and family by writing cards and exchanging thoughtful, personal gifts. Baking cookies for neighbors or sharing food with the poor are other ways to express appreciation for the abundance of food that we have in this country. Gratitude can lead to feelings of love, appreciation, generosity, and compassion, which further open our hearts and help rewire our brains to fire in more positive ways.

About The Author

Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, life coach, and expert on life change, health psychology, integrative & behavioral medicine, chronic stress and pain, who has published her own research in academic journals. Previously a Professor, she is now an influential practicing psychologist, speaker, and media consultant.

I love this column. Too often in life we have a gimme attitude always wanting others to give to us. There was a saying once that said he who walks around with a closed fist never receives anything. I so agree. Sometimes, it is good to give back even if you get nothing in return. I have found that in thos etimes when I give to others not expecting a return is when a return comes.

In the spirit of gratitude, I honor and appreciate all those who took the time out of their busy schedules to read and comment on my post or tell me about their personal experiences with gratitude. I always love to hear how people incorporate these practices into their personal lives and what effects they experience!

I feel very blessed because I learned that when I have Gratitude in my thoughts, absolutely, unequivocally I have no negative thoughts or feelings and also that I am alone. I cannot explain fully. Thanks for your writings.